Category Archives: Sushi Travels

The cutest cafe opens at Uptown Mall, BGC! Hello Kitty Cafe PH welcomes everyone with an amazing display of bright and colorful decorated, or as they call it – “Kitty-fied” pastries.

Embrace your inner kawaii with their adorable motifs and the fun and delightful ambiance. As for me though, my eyes were drawn to their intricately decorated cakes and pastries. Amazing how every detail was meticulously placed atop these miniature cakes. Loving all the pink, pastel colors there! *squeals with delight*

I was giddy with excitement and took the liberty of looking around while our orders are being prepared. The entire place looks like royalty, exuding classy Versailles Palace vibes.

Creamy Portobello Mushroom Soup with Truffles. My absolute favorite! I can’t resist any dish that has those two words “mushroom” and “truffles”. Our first dish was served beautifully with the signature Hello Kitty face stamped on the bread bowl. Look at their attention to detail, it’s absolutely mouth-watering!

Our second dish was the Salad Maison, served in an elegant boquet-style presentation. Fresh lettuce topped with feta cheese, grapes, croutons, olives and walnuts. The vinaigrette was just the right amount of sweet and tangy, and we loved it!

BEEF STROGANOFF

Hello Kitty Cafe’s Beef Stroganoff was a great twist to the usual cream based pasta, (I’d love to order their Pink Carbonara Pasta the next time, as it’s not available today).

Capping the meal off with a good, warm drink – Smore’s Latte. I expected more of an espresso-based drink, or a bolder coffee flavor, however it’s more of a thick, creamy hot chocolate drink. It’s one of the best hot chocolate’s I’ve tried here in the Metro so far!

White Truffle Kirsch

Just when I thought their presentation can’t get any cuter – here’s my favorite dessert from their cafe. A soft, pillowy texture with a hint of creamy strawberry flavor, drizzled with dessicated coconut and finished with a golden strawberry (and of course the signature Hello Kitty Ribbon).

The Mango Charlotte was the perfect way to end the Hello Kitty Cafe experience; an feast for the eyes and the taste buds.

Sushi (Malti-Poo) was such a wallflower that quite a number of guests weren’t even able to meet and greet her. She hid most of the time, but trust me she was happy you guys came. Here are a couple of the snaps during her first birthday!

It was such a blast putting these colorful treats together with the Barkingham team! Here’s our little celebrant chilling before her big debut.

This party was to celebrate her 1st year, as well as the grand opening of the Barkingham Pet Cafe.

Why was Sushi’s birthday such a big deal for me though?

It’s more than a birthday party, more than a get-together of pet owners, more than a shower of gifts and freebies – it was a celebration of life.

A quick throwback link to exactly one year ago: Minnie, Our Little Fighter. I remember, clear as day, that rainy night of July 2016. We took home a little Yorkie, wrapped in a blanket, huddled in the corner of her tiny box. I felt her trembling, in fear or cold, I’m not sure. All I knew is that she was far from the healthy pup she should have been deserved to be. She was coughing, she would barley eat or stand. That night as we drove home, I refused to give her a name, refused to open my heart to her, with fear that I might get attached to the little one. But I couldn’t help it. A few minutes later, in tears for the plight of her, I gave in, and I named her: Minnie.

She was sick, with what we dreaded to be one of the most incurable diseases. (With distemper, only the animal’s immune system would be able to battle the illness. So what vets often recommend is Canglob D.) We took her home, because we knew nobody else would welcome her, or give her intensive round-the-clock care that she needed. Day after day, we prayed for her to regain her strength as we desperately gave her more than what she needed to stay strong. But little by little our streams of hope ran dry. Despite our efforts and prayers, she grew weaker, her body grew thinner, her eyes could barely open because of the excessive ocular discharge, she coughed and wheezed and trembled and then the seizures finally set in.

I will never forget though, the little moments in between her daily vaccinations when I would whisper to her to be strong and fight; that mommy and daddy are waiting for her to get better so we can play. I imagined her growing up to be a healthy, playful pup. There was one memory that stands out, one of the final moments I got to spend with her which brings me to tears to this day: After her medications, I lifted her gingerly out of the box, set her down onto the floor then I walked a few feet away from her. I call out to her “Minnie, come here baby”. In spite of her trembling legs and emaciated body, she tried to get up, she tried so hard. Her legs were wobbly, she would stop once in a while to cough, until little by little she came to my lap.

We only had time to do this once though – the day before she left us. This it seems, is her way of saying goodbye.

I was terribly heartbroken when she crossed the rainbow bridge. I cried for days on end, but at the back of my mind, I was (and still am) thankful that she had a home with the little time she had on earth. Minnie deserved much more than a few months, she deserved a lifetime of cuddles, a sack full of treats and a lot of afternoons playing outside. I felt guilty for not being able to give her that, guilty for not being able to give her more than she deserved. (Read more here: Minnie’s Goodbye)

Minnie though, gave us much more than we hoped for. She has shown us the proof of unconditional love, setting aside all weaknesses and pain, just to be with the people she loves. In the few weeks that she spent with us, I haven’t felt more certain of a dog’s love. How simple it was, yet how unconditional.

That day Minnie crossed the rainbow bridge, I felt like something was missing. Soon after, DJ bought me what is now the sunshine of my life – Sushi.

Sushi’s birthday was a rainbow party, the symbol of a new beginning, a celebration of happiness and all things beautiful. She is more than just a pet dog, she is my ray of hope.

(I’ll write about this soon – when I am ready).

Seeing everyone coming with their best fur-riends last Saturday was something quite new for an introvert like myself (I was fighting the urge to hide under a rock by the end of the day – just kidding!). But overall it was a great experience sharing the love for our pets at Barkingham.

I am thankful for each day I wake up to my little girl staring back at me. We often take for granted the little moments with our furkids, I have learned my lesson to always make the most out of the time we have with them.

On behalf of myself, Sushi and the Barkingham Family, we would like to thank everyone who came to celebrate with us last July 1st.

ARF!

Sushi x Pearl

FOLLOW MINNIE’S STORY BELOW:

NOTES:

Minnie was found sick at Tiendesitas, and the pet store could no longer keep her as she carried an air-borne disease. (Meaning the rest of the pups in the store are most likely-to be infected too, which may lead to death and/or other complications). Please support ADOPT-DON’T-SHOP.

I’ve been in dire need of a midweek breather, someplace peaceful and wide enough for my mind and body to wander freely. We took a trip to one of the most art-inspired resorts here in the Philippines, Green Canyon Eco Art Resort, Clark. Why? They got me at “Pet-Friendly”!

My Travel Essentials

(1) My Anello Bag fits EVERYTHING I need!

(2) Nope. Can’t leave home without my Moleskine art journal.

(3) What’s a travel journal without fine liners on the ready?

It wasn’t a long drive to Pampanga as we chose to leave on a weekday. Upon arriving we wasted no time and couldn’t wait to explore the place with our little furball, Sushi. We found a nice spot near the hanging bridge to take our first mommy and baby photo (P.S Dadddy did a great job with this photo!)

The resort was a wide stretch of grass, trees and lush greenery, coupled seamlessly with a man’s beautiful artisan wood works. The pieces are hand-made by a talented Filipino craftsman.

There is a mini garden bursting with fresh produce, streams and modern log cabins, which houses the art gallery.

The poolside was definitely a pet-friendly place, Sushi didn’t fancy swimming though, but it was cool, she decided to lounge around with me as I doodled the morning away.

The food was presentable, but not the best we’ve tried with the meat being tougher than it should be. I recommend a weekend stay to enjoy the buffet breakfast instead of a weekday plated menu. The staff and crew were friendly and very accommodating, their smiles made the experience a one to remember.

It was a lovely day out with the loves of my life, I’m sure Sushi had great fun too. I’m really hoping for more places to be open to pets, they’re becoming more than just pets, they’re now family we all wish to make new memories with.

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I’ll be posting more pet friendly travel destinations im my blog, too! Stay tuned for more posts with #SushiTravels! Until next time.